Weather Breaks Just In Time For The Senior Picnic

By Nancy K. Crevier

As poet e.e. cummings once described it, the world was “mudlucious,” Wednesday, June 28, after a morning of pounding rain. But that did not stop dozens of senior citizens from gathering at the Dickinson Park pavilion to take part in the annual Newtown Senior Center picnic. And as if by magic, the rains came to a screeching halt and the sun attempted to poke its way through the dreary sky, just as the clock struck 11 am and the festivities were underway.

“We would have come no matter what the weather,” said senior center member Dorothy Bresson, as she sat with her friends Jessica Supan, Ruth Hunt, and Flo Allen. The four women said that they look forward to the yearly outing at the park.

Lemonade flowed, burgers sizzled, and hot dogs crackled as the senior center staff fired up the grills, supplying a fine backdrop to the tunes of the Country Gentlemen, a popular trio made up of Denny Cots, Larry Ayce, and Greg Chasse. The Country Gentlemen have performed each year at the senior picnic event for more than 15 years, according to Senior Center director Marilyn Place. “Everybody just loves them,” she said.

That the music was appealing was apparent in the number of partiers who were cutting the rug on the dance floor. Local dance instructor Nonnie Low-Williams partnered up with Bea Piskura for one of the numbers, showing off the skills Mrs Piskura has picked up at the ballroom dance lessons Mrs Low-Williams has been teaching at the center this past month.

Three more familiar faces from past senior picnics were First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, flipping burgers over a smoky grill, and Phil and Shirley Orfino from Monroe, handling the hot dogs and sauerkraut.

The Orfinos are from Shelton, where they are involved with the local senior center. They enjoy a chance to help out at other senior centers, too, when they can. “I love cooking and I love Marilyn [Place],” said Mr Orfino. “The Newtown Senior Center people are terrific. I come out once a year and it’s nice to work with nice people.”

A long line of people queued up as the hot dogs and burgers joined the smorgasbord of pastas, baked beans, and salads bending the boards. “Everything is just delicious,” commented Florence DePalma, who had a sampling of many of the goodies offered on her plate. The classic picnic companions — pickles, pretzels, and chips — were heaped high on plates and cakes, bars, and cookies provided the finishing touches to a tasty time.

“They do a good job,” said Mrs Bresson, referring to the event, and everyone in earshot was in complete agreement. “Mudlucious” or not, a fine time was had by all.